WASHINGTON – Native American activist Leonard Peltier was denied clemency by President Obama today after more than four decades in prison.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that President Obama will not let Leonard go home,” said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA.

“Despite serious concerns about the fairness of legal proceedings that led to his trial and conviction, Peltier was imprisoned for more than 40 years. He has always maintained his innocence. The families of the FBI agents who were killed during the 1975 confrontation between the FBI and American Indian Movement (AIM) members have a right to justice, but justice will not be served by Peltier’s continued imprisonment.”

“Leonard Peltier is 72 years old and in failing health. The failure to act may have condemned him to die in prison.”

To learn more about Leonard Peltier, go to: https://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/cases/usa-leonard-peltier

This statement can be found online at http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/native-american-activist-leonard-peltier-denied-clemency